Boxing, yoga and personal fitness training are top priorities that Kansas City community center patrons want to see come from a new sales tax for parks, according to a recent survey.

Voters in August approved a half-cent sales tax increase to support parks and community centers. Collections begin in January. In anticipation of that new money, the parks department conducted a survey in October and received answers from more than 600 community center users.

The results show patrons are most interested in athletics, fitness (yoga and tai chi) and social activities such as bingo, cards and dominoes. But they also want more educational opportunities, such as health classes and after-school tutoring.

Mark Bowland, manager of the department's community services division, said the sales tax will provide additional money for part-time positions, and he hopes to hire people who can provide the programming that residents want.

The survey also made it clear that patrons want extended community center hours, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

Bowland said he hopes to add Sunday hours in March at several centers.